Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-12-29

"There Is mistake somewhere he said TO
Polly, at the time. ''No one can convince me
that Mr.. RedIcld ever took penny of any
body's money. Poor man he had some rea-
son for going away-but 1t wasn't because he
was q thief. / wonder where he is! | like
him better than any man ever met before.
He always had good word for everybody. |
wish lie had given you away, Polly. We'd
have been sure OF good luck through life il he
had"
THAT'S all nonsense" replied the little
woman. ''We'll have good luck enough, II
we only work for it."
''lf there was anything Polly Klopp enjoyed
on fine evening" when the labor of the day
was over, it was a pull at an oar in II small
boat, which Sampson was given the use of by
the owner, friend of his, who lived near
him. 1t was bright evening in May when
Sampson, having returned from his work
somewhat earlier than usual, proposed to his
wife that they should take short row on the
river after supper was over So, after the
meal was disposed Of, they walked down to
the river bank, where the boat was kept.
''Lct me pull the stroke oar" said Polly, as
Sampson helped her into the boat
"All right" he replied, as the little woman
seated herself aud proceeded to get her oar Ia
place.
(which way!" asked Sampson.
"Down toward the bridge"
"Why not the other wayi" asked Sampson.
Because want to go down the river"
"But I'd much rather go up. There's not
near as many boats in the river above" he
said.
"What do care about the boats!" she re-
piled. 81 want to 20 down the river and
down the river I'm going" And she dipped
her oar into the water and prepared to take
the first stroke.
"Well, down the river we 60 then. So pull
away. A long pull, q strong pull, and pull
altogether" cried Sampson, and away few
the little boat, cutting the water with its
sharp bow, and leaving in its wake line OF
sparkling foam.
On the porch Of public, house, near the
lower end of the Harlem Bridge, stool gen
tleman leaning against one of the wooden pill
lars twirling a light walking stick, and gaz-
ing idly at the boats that passed at intervals
up and down the river.
"It's astonishing" he said, half aloud,
show wealth rolls into ones pockets when
with one of her sweet smiles. must be a
capricious clown indeed, for that worthy dame
has evidently laughed heartily at my pranks
for the last five years, judging by the rapidity
with which wealth has accumulated in my
hitherto empty purse. Well, laugh aud grow
fat, venerable Mrs. +. What pleases you
pleascs me also. / can hardly realize / am
back once more I'm my native city, and rich
man. Here have known pressing want and
keen hunger. ! doubt whether any one would
be likely to recognize In the Nat Garvin of
to-day, the Nat Garvin Of the past And now
l must find my cousin Bob, and share my good
fortune with him."
Whistling merry tune, he stepped from
the porch and sauntered leisurely toward the
bridge Evidently he did not notice the
wretchcdly-dressed woman who swept hastily
by him, so closely that the very rags she wore
brushed against the sleeve of his coat. She
stepped upon the bridge and proceeded along,
until about midway across the river; then she
paused, and, resting her head YEARLY against
the iron guard, looked down Into the water
For some moments she stool there in the atti-
tude of one in deep thought. At length she
raised her head, and, clasping her thin hands,
"God forgive me-" she cried, ''for what
do; but can bear up no longer | shall so
mad Is there nowhere can find rest! Yes,
| the rver-the river! Beneath the sparkling
waters there is peace for me!' She seized
hold of one Of the iron supports at her side,
| and clambcred upon the guard-rail. "God
have compassion on me-" she cried, "and re-
ceive NY soul!"
Then, folding her arms tightly across her
breast, she threw herself into the river. Nat
| Garvin saw her mount the rail, and at once,
| suspecting her Intentions he rushed forward.
Great Heaven, she has leaped into the
| riverl"
He looked up and down the stream, but
saw no boat near enough to be OF assistance.
| Out OF the dark water two white arms APP
! pcared, two hands clutched convulsively In
the air, and then disappeared from sight.
| "She must be saved ~ he exclaimed unbut-
toning and throwing of his coat.
SpriLging upon the guard, he looked of
into the stream. Presently he thought he dis
tinguished something like a human form APP
pear upon the surface some little distance
away. Without another instants delay lie
sprang from the bridge aud swan toward the
| SpOL he was uOb HiISlahCu, IL was nc
reached forward and seized her just as she
was disappearing again. Then came the ter
rble struggle. Twice she grasped his dis
engaged hand, and they sank together. He
was rapidly becoming exhausted-hc felt that
his strength was falling him, that he could
hold out but little longer. Suddenly both his
hands were pnioned to his side. With all his
might he strove to break the death-grp which
held them; but in vain. They were sinking
again together. The water was bubbling
about his ears; but above its fearful murmur
he heard another sound-thc sound OF voices
| quite near.
"Pull with all your might, Polly, pull ~
some one cried, and the next moment strong
hand seized him, and he and the senscless
woman clinging to him were lifted into q
boat by Sampson Klopp and his courageous
| wife.
After several minutes had elapsed, and Nat
had somewhat recovered from his exhaustion,
he turned his eyes toward the unfortunate
woman, whose head rested upon Polly's
bosom. The moon was shining full upon 'hei
face, and as his gaze rested upon IL, his heart